Bylaws Update

by Bylaws Team

The changes to the Mazama Bylaws being recommended by the Executive Council are significant. As such, it is not surprising there are both questions and concerns about what the changes will mean for the organization. In addition to the changes themselves, some have also raised concerns about process and the need for a Special Election. To ensure there is ample time to answer questions and respond to concerns, the Bylaws Team has decided to shift the start of the vote on the proposed changes from May 31 to September 7 as part of the Annual Election.

WHAT ARE BYLAWS?

Nonprofit bylaws are the main governing document for a nonprofit organization. They define the role of board members and outline the rules and principles of the nonprofit’s governing structure. According to ORS 65.061, Oregon nonprofit organizations are required to adopt bylaws. The Mazamas is a nonprofit and must have bylaws.

Bylaws should include only fundamental rules governing the nonprofit. Information that is likely to change frequently (e.g. the number of committees and committee charges) should not be included. These are better suited for procedure and

2019 2020

AUG/SEPT 2019

The Executive Council begins discussing the need to update the bylaws. OCT. 2019

Bylaws Team is convened to begin investigating the process of a bylaws update. NOV. 2019–AUG. 2020

Bylaws Team reaches out to committees, leadership, and outside experts to get input and suggestions, along with professional advice.

AUG.–DEC. 2020

Bylaws Team compiles all of the information received into proposed amendments. DEC. 2020

Executive Council reviews the proposed proposed Bylaws Amendments. JAN. 2021

Bylaws Amendment information and timeline is published in the January/ February Bulletin, posted to the Mazama Blog, and shared in the weekly eNews.

Keep up to date on all things Bylaws at mazamas.org/bylawsamendments

policy manuals. In addition, bylaws are intended to be broad. For example, it may be better to say that board meetings will be held quarterly, rather than to specify monthly. This allows the organization the flexibility to accommodate change without having to make frequent revisions to its main governing document. WHY MAKE THE CHANGE?

In 2019 the Executive Council (EC) began an effort to modernize the bylaws. There were several objectives behind updating the bylaws including improving the operational efficiency of the organization, attracting new like-minded members, and creating a more effective governing board. As part of this process, the EC formed a Bylaws Team that included members outside of the EC. The Bylaws Team consulted with every Mazama committee, leadership within the organization, as well as outside experts versed in legal best practices. The result of this process are the following proposed amendments. 1.Remove the requirement that an applicant for Mazama membership must successfully summit a glaciated peak to be accepted as a member. 2.Remove the three-year membership requirement for being an

Executive Council member. Executive Council candidates will continue to be voted in by the membership. 3.Add three new Executive Council positions to the existing ninemember Council. New positions will be selected by the Council specifically for their unique skills, experience and expertise.

These positions could be filled by a Mazama member, however, being a member is not a requirement. 4.Removing some aspects of the day-to-day Mazama operational structure from the bylaws into a separate operations document unconnected to Bylaws. As well as reorganizing sections to be more in line with modern bylaws.

The onset of COVID 19 underscored the urgency of updating the Bylaws like the need to incorporate electronic methods for meeting and communicating for the Executive Council and committees. Currently, pursuant to the Bylaws, committees must meet in-person at the Mountaineering Center. The Mazamas is also operating outside its Bylaws in other ways. For example, the list of standing committees in the Bylaws are outdated since some of the committees no longer exist. WHAT ARE WE DOING TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS?

Over the next couple months, the Bylaws Team will communicate additional information that responds to the questions and concerns that have been raised. These will include informational videos, Bulletin articles, and a standalone Voter Guide.

The Bylaws Team will also facilitate an information session and townhall to provide members an opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns.

We encourage anyone with questions or concerns to email the Bylaws Team at bylaws@mazamas.org. We want to ensure that all members fully understand the proposed changes, and have access to all of the information they need to cast an informed vote this fall.

BYLAWS TEAM MEMBERS: ■ Judith Baker ■ Reena Clements ■ George Cummings ■ Aimee Filimoehala ■ Martin (Marty) Hanson ■ Kaitlin Rupert ■ Tim Scott ■ Barbara Weiss ■ Guy Wettstein

2021

VOTING OPEN

MAY 21, 2021

Bylaws Info Session (Zoom)

Signup at: tinyurl.com/ bylawsmay25 AUG. 1, 2021

Voter guide published and arrives in mailboxes. AUG. 15, 2021

Opt-out period for online voting ends. AUG. 25, 2021

General Townhall (more information coming soon) SEPT. 7, 2021

Paper ballots mailed and online voting opens. OCT. 4, 2021

Paper ballots must be received by 5 p.m. Online voting concludes at 5 p.m. OCT. 4, 2021

Annual Meeting begins at 6 p.m. Results announced at the end of the meeting.

WE’RE CLIMBING AGAIN!

by Ryan Reed

In 2020, all Mazama climbs were canceled through June. Climb leaders still managed to schedule about 30 climbs, but nothing like the normal volume of around 200. This year, in addition to the continuing pandemic and potential area closures, new obstacles include new permit areas and unprecedented crowding. We spoke with Guy Wettstein, chair of the Climbing Committee, about how the year is shaping up for Mazama climbs.

Q: In general, how are climb leaders feeling about COVID? Wait and see, or bombs away?

A: More leaders are clearly interested in leading this year than last. However, we’re right in the middle of increasing vaccine availability and I think many leaders are waiting for their shots before scheduling climbs. I’m hopeful that the number of climbs we offer will increase through the summer. It’s already ramping up. Q: Any predictions on the overall volume of climbs this year?

A: We ran about 29 climbs last season, which was delayed until July 15. This year, as of April 15, we already have over 50 climbs on the schedule. It’s not the level of a normal year but it is an improvement. I think if we reach 100 climbs, it would be great. There are still a lot of challenges but things are getting better and I’m very excited about climbing this summer. Q: Will vaccination or lack of it play a role in climb team selection?

A: There have been a lot of questions about this and the possibility of a vaccine badge on our website to let people know you’ve been vaccinated. I personally think it’s a good idea if climbers want to share that information voluntarily but we have no plans to make climbing with the Mazamas contingent on being vaccinated. Furthermore, COVID protocols with respect to masks and distancing are likely to be in place for the foreseeable future. Q: Last year there was no carpooling and no sharing gear or tents, outside of households. Can fully vaccinated people carpool this year? Be tent mates? [Will this be up to the climbers to be safe, or an official policy?]

A: The guidance around carpooling has eased a bit. First off, Mazama climbs start and end at the trailhead so it’s not really up to us to dictate that people can’t carpool, though we had strongly discouraged it. Now that people are getting vaccinated, it seems like they can make their own decisions about how to get to the climb.

As for tents, food sharing, etc…, that will probably remain in effect for a while for climbers who aren’t in the same household or COVID “pod.” However, COVID remains a fluid situation and the policies and guidance are regularly being re-evaluated. Q: The Central Cascade Wilderness Permits are in effect this year, and it seems they sold out within hours of becoming available. Will this kill off overnight climbs like Mt. Jefferson, Middle and North Sister, and the Green Lakes two-fer?

The new permitting system certainly does make climb scheduling more difficult. I was fortunate to get into the system the second they opened and obtained a permit for my North Sister

Promises In the Dark 5.12b, Southern Nevada. Photo by Karen de Vera

climb. Approximately 40 percent of the permits were released and weekends went within minutes. The remaining 60 percent of permits will be released on a rolling 7-day window throughout the season. I have some thoughts on how this might affect Mazama climbs.

More climbs may need to be scheduled mid-week as opposed to weekends. This will change the makeup of who is able to lead and participate in those climbs. The upside is that it will spread out the crowds and reduce bottlenecks on certain routes.

Climbs may have to be scheduled with shorter notice or put on the schedule as “pending permits” to let applicants know that there is some red tape associated with climbs that is yet to be worked out.

Leaders might consider finding an alternate leader before applying for a permit so that it can be transferred if the leader is unable to lead the climb.

One-day climbs may become more popular for certain mountains like Middle Sister.